Tiffany McClay
Dr. Fogleman
EDC 102H
25 September 2011 Non-school Academic Influences
Most kids relax and play outside, or go to friends’ houses during the summer. Although I did all of that I also practiced my spelling, completed math problems and read all of the time. Since early elementary school my dad would come home from work during his lunch break and give me homework. I had to finish the assigned work by the time he came home for dinner. I hated having to do school work over the summer and I would get so mad at my Dad for making me do it.
I would have these assignments two or three days a week. The tasks ranged from addition and subtraction to multiplication and division. I had to memorize measurements such as the number of pints in a gallon (8), and pounds in a ton (2000). My Dad grilled me until the answers were engraved into my brain. Today I could not forget what he taught me even if I tried. He even taught me how to long divide and multiple numbers greater than two digits, skills I now use regularly.
In addition to the math he insisted I practiced spelling. While my dad is all numbers, my mom is the word person in my house so she gave me spelling words almost every week, per request of my dad. I practiced the words and was tested on them at the end of the week. These spelling tests taught me how to spell words like, answer and Wednesday. I also, wrote sentences as a daily task. I wrote about events going on and I often used the spelling words in some of my sentences. My summers were just like going to school except I did not have to get up as early.
During the summers of elementary and middle school the lessons continued. I slowly learned to hate the homework less and less. I accepted it as a regular part of my summer. Besides, none of the assignments took longer than a few minutes to complete, so I still had plenty of summer to myself. I just did not like the idea of doing them, especially when I knew none of my friends had school work over the summer. I thought my Dad was the worst dad ever!
Slowly, over the years, I learned to appreciate what my Dad was doing for me. He kept my brain from sleeping all summer. When the school year would begin in September I got back into the groove of homework before most of the other students. I would need less review than many if the other students as well. I recall in eighth grade, my math teacher asking the class how many feet are in a mile. I was the only student in the class to know there are 5280 feet in a mile. It was at that moment I realized what my Dad was really doing over the summer. He was preparing me with basic knowledge. I used to wonder when I would need the information he permanently imbedded into my brain. In my eighth grade math class I silently thanked my Dad for all of the summer work he gave me.
My Dad is my biggest non-school academic influence. Not only did he keep my brain working all summer, but he gave me the gift of basic knowledge I can use in my daily life. He always pushed me to do my absolute best. Due to my Dad I strive for perfection, or as close as I can get in all that I do.
In addition to the summers, my Dad influenced me by letting my brother and I pick a place to go out for dinner if we achieved good grades on our report cards. As a little kid getting to choose a place for dinner was like winning the jackpot. I strived in school to win that opportunity. I looked forward to bringing home my report card so I could eat at my favorite restaurant.
My Dad’s influence on me academically continued throughout all of school. The day of my high school graduation my Dad told me he was proud of me. I almost cried. At that moment I saw all of my hard work in school and over the summers come together. I have always strived to impress my Dad, even though I did not realize I was doing it. When he told me he was proud of me I finally felt accomplished. Although my Dad might not know it I owe a lot to him. I do not mean about the material items, the roof above my head or the clothes on my back, but I do mean the education I received during the summer and for the silent pushes he gave me throughout my entire school career. Now that I am in college I feel like I work more for myself and less for other people, but in the back of my head I still want to make my Dad proud.
Dr. Fogleman
EDC 102H
25 September 2011
Non-school Academic Influences
Most kids relax and play outside, or go to friends’ houses during the summer. Although I did all of that I also practiced my spelling, completed math problems and read all of the time. Since early elementary school my dad would come home from work during his lunch break and give me homework. I had to finish the assigned work by the time he came home for dinner. I hated having to do school work over the summer and I would get so mad at my Dad for making me do it.
I would have these assignments two or three days a week. The tasks ranged from addition and subtraction to multiplication and division. I had to memorize measurements such as the number of pints in a gallon (8), and pounds in a ton (2000). My Dad grilled me until the answers were engraved into my brain. Today I could not forget what he taught me even if I tried. He even taught me how to long divide and multiple numbers greater than two digits, skills I now use regularly.
In addition to the math he insisted I practiced spelling. While my dad is all numbers, my mom is the word person in my house so she gave me spelling words almost every week, per request of my dad. I practiced the words and was tested on them at the end of the week. These spelling tests taught me how to spell words like, answer and Wednesday. I also, wrote sentences as a daily task. I wrote about events going on and I often used the spelling words in some of my sentences. My summers were just like going to school except I did not have to get up as early.
During the summers of elementary and middle school the lessons continued. I slowly learned to hate the homework less and less. I accepted it as a regular part of my summer. Besides, none of the assignments took longer than a few minutes to complete, so I still had plenty of summer to myself. I just did not like the idea of doing them, especially when I knew none of my friends had school work over the summer. I thought my Dad was the worst dad ever!
Slowly, over the years, I learned to appreciate what my Dad was doing for me. He kept my brain from sleeping all summer. When the school year would begin in September I got back into the groove of homework before most of the other students. I would need less review than many if the other students as well. I recall in eighth grade, my math teacher asking the class how many feet are in a mile. I was the only student in the class to know there are 5280 feet in a mile. It was at that moment I realized what my Dad was really doing over the summer. He was preparing me with basic knowledge. I used to wonder when I would need the information he permanently imbedded into my brain. In my eighth grade math class I silently thanked my Dad for all of the summer work he gave me.
My Dad is my biggest non-school academic influence. Not only did he keep my brain working all summer, but he gave me the gift of basic knowledge I can use in my daily life. He always pushed me to do my absolute best. Due to my Dad I strive for perfection, or as close as I can get in all that I do.
In addition to the summers, my Dad influenced me by letting my brother and I pick a place to go out for dinner if we achieved good grades on our report cards. As a little kid getting to choose a place for dinner was like winning the jackpot. I strived in school to win that opportunity. I looked forward to bringing home my report card so I could eat at my favorite restaurant.
My Dad’s influence on me academically continued throughout all of school. The day of my high school graduation my Dad told me he was proud of me. I almost cried. At that moment I saw all of my hard work in school and over the summers come together. I have always strived to impress my Dad, even though I did not realize I was doing it. When he told me he was proud of me I finally felt accomplished. Although my Dad might not know it I owe a lot to him. I do not mean about the material items, the roof above my head or the clothes on my back, but I do mean the education I received during the summer and for the silent pushes he gave me throughout my entire school career. Now that I am in college I feel like I work more for myself and less for other people, but in the back of my head I still want to make my Dad proud.